What Questions Do I Need To Ask?

When inviting a contractor into your home, it’s natural to ask, “How long has your company been in business?”,and “Can you provide references?”

These are the most common questions asked, but are not the only ones you should be asking. Embed the following 5 critical questions into your conversation to make sure you’re picking the best contractor for the job:

What size gutters do you install?

Most homes have 5″ gutters. In some cases that’s adequate, but jumping to 6” gutters will vastly improve performance for an extra buck or two per foot. If the contractor only sells 5″ gutters, he has no incentive to offer you the best solution.

Do you use a level when installing gutters?

Few gutter contractors use levels when installing gutters, which is the only way to know that your gutters are pitched properly, and is one of the chief reasons why homeowners experience water problems with their gutters. An incorrectly pitched gutter will guarantee problems due to water pooling inside and overflowing the gutters. It only takes a few seconds to verify that gutters are pitched properly with a level, yet installers would rather perform a “water test” to make sure what flows the right direction or come back to “fix it” if it doesn’t work.

Are you bonded and insured?

Liability and worker’s compensation insurance policies are expensive with gutter and roofing contractors paying among the highest premiums. Hiring a gutter installer without proper insurance means that you could be liable for the injuries of a worker hurt while on your property. If this is a concern to you, simply ask the company to provide an insurance certificate showing that their insurance coverage is in effect. In some states, a single form will show all insurance coverages — liability, worker’s compensation, and auto — while other states will have separate forms for each type of insurance.

How closely do you space gutter hangers?

Hidden hangers are the brackets that hold gutters in place. They can be pricey, and there’s no mandate that says how closely hidden hangers should be spaced, so the fewer hangers used means that your gutter installer saves money and your gutters will not stand up well to water, snow, ice, wet leaves and other heavy debris. Don’t hire an installer who spaces hangers more than 24″ on average.

How can you improve my gutters?

Because installing gutters is a low-margin business, it’s a volume game, which means that most installers want to get in-and-out as quickly as possible. Ask prospective contractors what they would do to improve your gutter design and see what they say. This will tell you a lot about the their experience, attention to detail, and quality of work.

The more twists and turns your roof has, the more opportunity for water problems on the roof, in the gutters, and around your foundation. These problems can lead to water damage inside your home, wood rot, and mold growth.

Benefits of Asking the Right Questions
Asking questions that are relevant to the work being performed will position you to hire the right contractor for the job, and will save you time, money, and headaches down the road. If you don’t like what you hear, be sure to get a second or third estimate/opinion until you find a contractor who has demonstrated an understanding of the situation and an ability to solve the problem.